Van Der Beek’s baby surprise

James Van Der Beek and his wife want their unborn baby’s sex to be a “surprise”.

The former Dawson’s Creek actor and his business consultant spouse Kimberly Brook are expecting their third child together. The couple already have three-year-old daughter Olivia and son Joshua, who is nearly 20 months old.

After learning the gender of their first two kids prior to birth, they have decided to keep it a secret this time round.

“We have no idea. The doctor doesn’t even know. It’s a surprise!” Kimberly laughed to Us Weekly. “I’m the person who could have had three boys or three girls and not care. Also I was always into keeping the surprise, but at the end of the day I had a hard time. I think I have more willpower this time!”

The pair, who walked down the aisle in August 2010, announced their big news earlier this year.

When at home with her family, Kimberly enjoys watching how her two children interact with each other. However, she admits this pregnancy is a lot more exhausting than her others.

“It’s nuts! I’m really busy. It’s becoming easier because now they are becoming great friends,” she said, referring to her tots. “They definitely know how to argue, but they spend the majority of the time loving each other and laughing. When Joshua my youngest cries, my daughter Olivia will rub his back and tell him it’s okay. It’s really sweet.

“It’s harder being pregnant with two toddlers. I’m exhausted [with] this pregnancy! I’m really tired. It’s tough to take a break. This is my most exhausting pregnancy yet.”

Even though they are extremely busy with their family and careers, James and Kimberly always make time for each other. Kimberly praises her husband’s parenting skills.

“We make [spending time together] a priority. A lot of times if he films late, we will go out and have dinner after and do something like that or we will go to a matinee on the weekend occasionally. We try to do something every few weeks,” she added. “He is really a hands-on dad. He has an intense filming schedule, but he tries really hard to get home to put them to bed. Normally I will give them a bath and he will do story time and bedtime.”